Horizontal Schoolers
Rummynose, cardinal, lemon tetras — long thin fish that swim in horizontal lines.
Maximize tank LENGTH — 4 feet+ ideal for schooling display.
Mid-Water Swarmers
Black widow, head-and-tail-light tetras — swim in mid-water clouds, less synchronized.
Need height too — 18+ inch tall tanks.
Bottom Schoolers
Bushy nose, sterba's cory — bottom-dwelling schoolers.
Sand substrate critical — gravel hurts their barbels.
Combine for Layered Display
Bottom: 6-8 cory cats.
Middle: 8-10 small tetras.
Surface: 6-8 hatchetfish.
Three layers of activity in one tank.
- ✦Strong open swimming space critical — heavily decorated tanks reduce schooling
- ✦Plant in groups, leave open lanes — fish use the lanes for schooling
- ✦Skip strong currents that disrupt school cohesion